Mounting apparatus for fan

ABSTRACT

A mounting assembly includes a fan and a plate. The fan includes a number of locking pins. The plate defines a ventilation area corresponding to the fan. A number of securing holes are defined by the plate adjacent to a corner of the ventilation area. Two or more raised blocks are located on the plate and adjacent an edge of the ventilation area. The locking pins of the fan are slid into the securing hole and at the limit of the securing hole the raised blocks abut an edge of the fan to prevent the fan moving back out of the securing hole.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to mounting apparatuses for fans, more particularly, to a mounting apparatus which can conveniently and firmly secure a fan to a computer enclosure.

2. Description of Related Art

Computers include a central processing unit (CPU) and a power supply. Heat generated from the CPU is removed from the CPU by a fan attached to the CPU. There is usually a fan for the power supply to assist in cooling the power supply as well.

The fans are generally mounted in the computer enclosures by screws which require the use of a tool. The attachment procedure is tedious and inconvenient, especially when the enclosure is small. Furthermore, other components in the enclosure are prone to be accidentally damaged during the attachment procedure.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded and isometric view of a mounting apparatus and a fan of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the fan of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of the mounting apparatus and the fan of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another assembled view of the mounting apparatus and the fan of

FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment includes a plate 10. The mounting apparatus is used to mount a fan 40 on the plate 10.

The plate 10 defines a plurality of vents thereof to form a generally circular ventilation area 12 for air movement between an outside and an inside of the plate 10. A securing hole 15 is located adjacent each corner of the ventilation area 12. The securing hole 15 is key-hole shaped and includes a through hole 151 and a receiving slot 153. The through hole 151 is in communication with the receiving slot 153. A width of the receiving slot 153 is smaller than a diameter of the through hole 151. The receiving slot 153 extends in a horizontal direction. A pair of blocks 16 are located on the plate 10 and adjacent an edge of the ventilation area 12, and a line drawn through the blocks 16 is substantially vertical.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the fan 40 includes a frame 41 and a plurality of blades 43 rotatably mounted in the frame 41. The frame 41 includes a first piece 45 and a second piece 46. Each corner of the first piece 45 has a locking pin 47. The locking pin 47 includes a connection portion 471 and a locking head 472. The connection portion 471 is perpendicularly connected to the first piece 45. The locking head 472 is connected on a distal end of the connection portion 471. A diameter of the locking head 472 is substantially larger than that of the connection portion 471. The diameter of the locking head 472 is smaller than that of the through hole 151 and larger than the width of receiving slot 153. The diameter of the connection portion 471 is smaller than the width of receiving slot 153.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, to mount the fan 40, the locking pins 47 of the fan 40 are aligned to the securing holes 15 of the plate 10. The locking head 472 of a locking pin 47 is inserted through a through hole 151. The connection portion 471 of the locking pin 47 is received in the through hole 151. At this position, the first piece 45 of the fan 40 rides on top of the blocks 16. Then, the fan 40 is moved sideways on the plate 10. The connection portion 471 of the locking pin 47 slides into the receiving slot 153 from the through hole 151. The first piece 45 slides over the blocks 16 and drops onto the plate 10 as the locking pins 47 reach the end of the receiving slot 153. The blocks 16 abut an edge of the plate 10 to stop the fan 40 sliding back. Simultaneously, the locking heads 472 of the locking pins 47 are captive on the outside of the plate 10, and the fan 40 is mounted on the plate 10. The fan 40 is aligned to the ventilation area 12.

To disassemble the fan 40, the first piece 45 is lifted above the blocks 16. The connection portion 471 is then able to slide from the receiving slot 153 to the through hole 151. The locking pins 47 can be pulled out of the securing holes 15 to detach the fan 40 from the plate 10.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A mounting assembly, comprising: a fan comprising a locking pin; and a plate defining a ventilation area corresponding to the fan, a securing hole defined by the plate and adjacent a corner of the ventilation area, and a block located on the plate and adjacent an edge of the ventilation area; wherein the locking pin is locked in the securing hole, and the block abuts an edge of the fan to prevent the locking pin moving out of the securing hole.
 2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing hole comprises a through hole and a receiving slot in communication with the through hole, the locking pin comprises a connection portion and a locking head, the connection portion is inserted in the through hole and located in the receiving slot , and the locking head locks on the plate.
 3. The mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein the connection portion is perpendicularly connected to the fan.
 4. The mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein a diameter of the locking head is larger than that of the connection portion, the diameter of the locking head is smaller than that of the through hole and larger than a width of receiving slot, and the diameter of the connection portion is smaller than the width of receiving slot.
 5. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan is aligned to the ventilation area.
 6. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing hole is key-hole shaped.
 7. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing hole and the block are separated by the ventilation area.
 8. A mounting assembly, comprising: a fan comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first piece, a locking pin located on a corner of the first piece; and a plate defining a ventilation area corresponding to the fan, the plate comprising a securing hole and a block, and the securing hole and the block separated by the ventilation area; wherein the fan is aligned to the ventilation area, the locking pin is secured in the securing hole, the first piece is located on the plate, and the block abuts an edge of the fan to prevent the locking pin moving out of the securing hole.
 9. The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the securing hole comprises a through hole and a receiving slot in communication with the through hole, the locking pin comprises a connection portion and a locking head, the connection portion is inserted in the through hole and located in the receiving slot, and the locking head locks on the plate.
 10. The mounting assembly of claim 9, wherein the connection portion is perpendicularly connected to the first piece.
 11. The mounting assembly of claim 9, wherein a diameter of the locking head is larger than that of the connection portion, the diameter of the locking head is smaller than that of the through hole and larger than a width of receiving slot, and the diameter of the connection portion is smaller than the width of receiving slot.
 12. The mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein the securing hole is key-hole shaped. 